Vietnam-ease Càphê Is Bringing Family Recipes & Culture-Forward Cocktails To Gurgaon

The first time I remember being fascinated by Vietnamese cuisine was when I discovered Phobidden Fruit Vietnamese Restaurant in Bangalore more than a decade ago. I’d admit, the wordplay is what got my attention, but over the years Vietnam has taken over a far larger part of my mind. It tops my places to visit list at this point, for many reasons and one of the primary reasons is definitely the cuisine. From Pho to Vietnamese Coffee and from Banh Mi to Vietnamese Noodle Bowls, the more food I encounter from Vietnam, the more I am itching to travel to the country. But recently, an email from a publicist friend landed up in my inbox, letting me know about all these dishes at a restaurant far closer to home. Sure, Gurgaon might not be as close to Kochi as I’d like it to be - but at least it is still in the same country, and more importantly, the sheer offerings that have been crafted by the founders of Vietnam-ease Càphê is one that has me intrigued. 

What began as a home kitchen passionately by husband-and-wife duo Dhruv Kalra and Trang Ngyuen in 2019, backed by Dhruv’s hospitality industry insight and Trang’s culinary knowledge of her home has now become a brick and mortar space, almost six years and multiple trips to Vietnam later. According to the brand, “Vietnam-ease Càphê was born out of a shared mission: to bring the soul of Vietnamese cuisine and culture to India.”

From traditional recipes to street food favourites, the intimate restaurant in Gurgaon features a small but well curated menu of food, cocktails, and of course a signature Vietnamese Coffee. Chef Trang and Dhruv bring their best to each plate by creating dishes that range family recipes, street food favourites, as well as hyperlocal dishes that might not be otherwise known to the average Indian. This includes pho, steamed rice rolls called banh cuon, Hanoi-style barbecue bun cha, banh xeo pancakes, varying takes on the Cà Ri Gà (Vietnamese curry), other mains like Caramelized Pork Belly with Eggs and Smoky Eggplants in Chilli Soy, as well as Vietnamese salads and desserts of the day, all thoughtfully crafted using fresh ingredients and simple, age-old but ever-effective techniques.

In addition, the restaurant has launched a Cocktail programme titled Ký Ức Trong Ly (Memories in a Glass), concocted by Chef Trang that menu draws from her identity, and the founding couple’s travels across Vietnam - each drink anchored in a specific place, ingredient, or sensory memory through the length of Vietnam. From the Pho-Real — a cocktail tribute to the signature soup that blends the signature brother with Sake and a splash of Chardonnay topped with crispy Pho noodles, to the Ha Noi Old Quarter - Rosé and Soju with hints of orange blossom and Camphor to the Imperial Hue — blending Beer and Chenin Blanc with fish sauce, peanuts and Vietnamese Papaya Pickles that they call an ode to the funky cuisine of central Vietnam, the options on the menu are many and varied. 

Throughout their food and drinks menu to every messaging that goes out through their social media content, Vietnam-ease Càphê, is particular about leaving anyone who encounters them anywhere, with a slice of their lifestyle in some way. This philosophy, of wanting to do more with their venture than just serve up meals, but introduce them to the warmth and culture of Vietnam is evident in how the restaurant houses a curated collection of Vietnam inspired collectables and books that lead the guests to connect at a deeper level - through stories and flavours alike. This is often led by the founding duo themselves, who love to regale the guests with their personal insights and experiences as much as they can, just the way one would hosted when they visit any part of Vietnam. 

You can follow Vietnam-ease Càphê here. 

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